GAROLUS SECUNDUS Dei Gratia Angl Scotice Francice Et Hibernice Rex Fidei Defensor etc. HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT MEMORABILIA Or the most Remarkable Passages and Counsels Collected out of the several DECLARATIONS AND SPEECHES That have been made by the KING HIS L. Chancellors and Keepers AND THE SPEAKERS Of the HONOURABLE House of Commons IN PARLIAMENT Since His Majesty's Happy Restauration Anno 1660. till the End of the last Parliament 1680. Reduced under Four Heads Viz. 1. Of the Protestant Religion 2. Of Popery 3. Of Liberty and Property c. 4. Of Parliaments By Edward Cooke of the Inner Temple Esquire Humbly Dedicated to the GRAND COUNCIL or SENATE of this KINGDOM LONDON Printed for Nevil Simmons Tho. Simmons and Sam. Lee at the Three Cocks at the West End of S. Paul's the Princes Arms in Ludgate-Street and the Princes Arms in Lombard Street MCDLXXXI THE INTRODUCTION SOME Persons there are in the World of a humour not to be pleased with any thing they shall see in Print unless withall the Author puts himself to the trouble of giving them some considerable Reason which induced him to that undertaking now whether or no this that I shall give them will be to their greater satisfaction I am not certain but however I will thus far ingenuously confess my self to them as to declare it was the true and only One that moved me to present the World with these following Sheets HAVING too notoriously observed of late since this licentious Sickness of the Press the many abominable Pamphlets that have come abroad no doubt with Malitious design enough to alienate the Affections of the good people of England and to infuse strange Perplexing Fears and Jealousies into them of the King and the Government as if presently the whole Nation was to be turn'd Topsy Turvy our Laws Cancell'd our Liberties and Properties to be quite taken away from us our Parliaments to be cashiered our Religion changed and our Lives wholly at the Merciless Devotion of Thirsty men of bloud I say having observed with great and sorrowful Resentment these ill and dangerous Books that have with a too open and insolent face appeared to the heinous scandal as well as disturbance of the peace of these Kingdoms This is to prevent His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects Dec. 26. 1662. p. 12. the mischiefs aim'd at by the cager endeavours of rash and unquiet men whom though weak and credulous Persons may be beguiled by them yet I am sure all honest and good men will look upon with detestation as the most dangerous Enemies of the Crown and of the peace and happiness of the Nation AND among the many venemous Insinuations which have been Lord Keepers Speech Jan. 7. 1673. Fol. 18. 19. made use of the Fears and Jealousies of Religion and Liberty are of the worst sort and the most dangerous impressions CERTAINLY Malice was never more buisy than it hath been in these Reports and it hath been assisted by a great deal of invention BUT it is to be hoped that no mans Judgment or Affections will be either misled or disturbed by such reports THIS as nothing is capable of gratifying them more the great Lord Keepers Speech Ap. 13. 75. Fol. 18. Enemies of our security are most industrious to promote as knowing very well that this alone will do them more Service than the best of their Auxiliaries These are they that hope to see and Practise to bring about new Changes and Revolutions in the Government 'T IS almost an irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion hath Lord Chancel Speech Sep. 13. 1660. p. 22. undergone from the divisions and distractions which have been so notorious within this Kingdom This you shall find hereafter I will demonstrate to you in its proper place AND as differences and distempers in Religion have too much disturbed Lord Ch. Sp. Sep. 13. 1660. p. 19 20. the Peace of the Kingdom which is a consideration that must make every Religious heart to bleed to see that Religion which should be the strongest Obligation and Cement of Affection and Brotherly kindness and compassion made now by the perverse wranglings of Passionate and Froward men the ground of all Animosity Hatred Malice and Revenge So no less heaty and distempered have some persons been on the other hand in wickedly labouring to set us altogether by the Ears and to put us into a fatall Combustion by their slanderous Calumnies and Factious reproaches of the State Never was this Spirit of Libelling more Lord Ch. Sp. Monday May 19. 6â— at their Prorog p. 10 11. pregnant than it is now nor King nor Parliament nor Church nor State ever more exposed to those flagella linguae those stroaks of the Tongue from which God Almighty can only preserve the most Innocent and most Excellent Persons as if repining and murmuring reviling and affronting publick Authorities were the peculiar exercises of the Nation to keep it in health as if England had so much of the Merchant Nunquam habendi fructu faelix semper autem quaerendi Cupiditate Miserrima Now does it not His Majesties Speech Mond March 21. 1663. p. 5. behoove us all to be as watchful to prevent as they are to contrive their mischief Should not we make it our business to strengthen the hands of Government and to shame the Enemies of it by bannishing all manner of distrust If we do not we shall be in danger to Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs May 23. 78. p. 18. become not only the most miserable but the most unpittied Nation under heaven Let this then be to restore the whole Nation to its primitive temper Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs Sep. 13. 1660. p. 12. and integrity to its old good manners it 's old good humour and it 's old good nature a Vertue so peculiar so appropriated by God Almighty to this Nation that it can be translated into no other language and hardly practised by any other people His Majesties Speech Tuesday July 30. 1661. The Day of Their Adjurr p. 5. And though there are very many alas too many distempered Spirits which lie in wait to do mischief by laying Reproaches upon the Court upon the Government reproaches upon the King reproaches upon the Parliament yet I hope by our Joynt Unity right understanding our vigilant carefulness and application we may be able to weigh down and prevent any Mischief they intend against us Forreign Nations have laid it down for a Maxime in their Politicks Lord Chancel Speech Thurs March 6. â—â—78 p. 18 that England can never be destroyed but by its self and that 't is in vain to make any attempt upon this Nation until they be in some great disorder and confusion amongst themselves Let us then every one in the way of our several capacities indeavour to make the ambitious despair as soon as we can by establishing so perfect an intelligence
me in it I have transmitted the Book of Common Prayer with those Alterations and Additions which have been presented to me by the Convocation to the House of Peers with my approbation that the Act of Vniformity may relate to it so that I presume it will be shortly dispatched there and 89. It requires great prudence and discretion no passion and precipitation when we have done all we can the well-setling that Affair will require great prudence and discretion and the absence of all passion and precipitation You see how his Majesty promised that he would give up all his endeavours to compose the unhappy differences in matters of Religion and to restore the Languishing Church to Peace Vnity and Order Constantine himself hardly spent so much of 90. How mightily his Majesty has laid out himself to restore the Church to peace unity and order his own time in private and publick conferences to that purpose His Majesty Lord Chancellors Speech to both Houses of Parliament on Saturday Decemb. 29 1660. The Day of their Dissolution pag. 8. in private Conferred with the Learned Men and heard all that could be said upon several Opinions and Interests apart and then in the Presence 91. Constantine himself scarce spent so much time about it of both Parties himself moderating in the Debates and less care and diligence and authority would not have done the work And if after all this his Majesty doth not reap 93. If after all some will keep up old Breaches they must be reduced by Law to the obedience of the Law the full Harvest he expected from those Condescentions if some men by their Writing and by their Preachings endeavour to continue the old Breaches c. I shall say no more than that I hope their want of modesty and obedience will cause them to be disclaimed by all pious and peaceable men who cannot but be well contented to see them reduced by Law to the obedience they owe to Law ON Tuesday April 5. 1664. as if his Parliament were somewhat doubtful of it The King when he came then to give his Royal Assent to two Bills breaks out into these words to them I do assure you upon my word and I pray believe 9â— The King has no other thoughts or designs in his heart but to support the Religion Established and make us happy by it me That I have no other thoughts or designs in my heart but to make you all happy in the support of the Religion and Laws Established pag. 4. The Late King lost his Life in the defence of the Reformed Religion and his present Majesty whom God Almighty long continue among us hath manifested his affection to the Church of England as by Law Established in despight of all calumnies and through extream difficulties with the highest acts of Solemnity imaginable WHEN his Majesty met his both Houses of Parliament in 67. how instant was he to have them take it into their considerate thoughts how to settle Religion more to the quieting of his Peoples minds and His Majesties Speech to both Houses Monday 10 Feb. 1667. pag. 4. for the Establishment of Unity and Concord among them Saith he one thing more I hold my self obliged to recommend unto you at this 94. And therefore reminds his Parliament that they would think of some course to beget a better union among his Protestant Subjects as being the best way to support the Government present which is that you would seriously think of some course to beget a better union and composure in the minds of my Protestant Subjects in matters of Religion whereby they may be induced not only to submit quietly to the Government but also chearfully give their assistance to the support of it WHEN the King sent his Grace the then Earl of Lauderdail his Maiesties High Commissioner for the Parliament of Scotland You shall hear what he said to them concerning his Majesties 95. The Kings constant and unalterable zeal to maintain and defend the True Reformed Protestant Religion in Scotland Resolution to maintain the True Protestant Religion there It was by command from his Royal Master to say in his Name at the opening Earl of Lauderdail 's Speech to the Parliament of Scotland Oct. 19. 1669. pag. 3. 4. of that his Parlirment And first saith he I am to assure you of his Majesties constant and unalterable zeal for maintaining and defending the True Reformed Protestant Religion in this 96. That â—e will maintain and defend the autient Government of it being most suitable to Monarchy his Kingdom for which he will constantly lay out his whole power and authority as also for discouraging and punishing all Atheism and Prophanities and all that is contrary to true Religion and Godliness I am further particularly commanded to assure you that with no less zeal and constancy he will maintain and defend the Antient Government by Arch-Bishops 97. Episcopal Government the most Primitive and Apostolick and Bishops as now it is happily setled as a sure Fence for the True Refromed Protestant Religion a Government most suitable to Monarchy and well may I call it Antient for whoever 98. The King will refend the persons of the Archbishops Bishops all the Orthodox Clergy in their Functions will look into Antiquity shall find Episcopal Government hath continued in the whole Catholick Church both East and West even from the most Primitive and Apostolick Times and a little after in the said 4 pag. after he had just touched upon the sad Calamities and Confusions of the Late Times he says farther in his Majesties Name and by his special Command I do assure you he will employ his utmost power in the maintenance 99. Will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism of that Government and will protect the persons of my Lords the Archbishops and Bishops and of the Loyal Orthodox and Peaceable Clergy in the exercise of their Functions he will not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles 100. The King of late hath set up some that were peaceable men in vacant Churches though they came not up to the Rules Established They should therefore carry themselves worthy of that high favour which tend to Sedition and Schism which have been too frequent in some few Shires of this Kingdom Good Laws have been made and in prosecution of those Laws the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council have shewn their care for suppressing those Seditious Assemblies yea and of late his Majesty has graciously indulged the planting of some who were esteened peaceable men in vacant Churches though they came not up to the Rules Established it will be expected that they walk worthy of so great a favour but if after this removal of the very pretence of unlawful Conventicles any Factious People shall in contempt of his Majesties Laws yea 101. But if any factious people in contempt of his
Subjects as that We refer it to the same Persons to take Care of Vs who are trusted to provide for them We look upon you as Wise and Dispassionate 8. As being wise and dispassionate Men and good Patriots Men and good Patriots who will raise up those Banks and Fences which have been cast down and who will most reasonably hope the same Prosperity will again spring from those Roots from which it hath heretofore and always grown nor can We apprehend that you will propose any thing to Vs or expect any thing from Vs but what We are as ready to give as you to receive AND towards the latter end of the same Letter saith he We have thought fit to send you this Declaration 9. The King's Heart is in all this Declaration that you may as much as is possibly Id. pag. 7. at this distance see Our Heart which when God shall bring us nearer together as We hope He will do shortly will appear to you very agreeable to what We have professed IT was much al out that time no doubt that the Speaker of 10. England in the late times but a great Prison the House of Commons meant when he said that England was but a great Prison where the worst of Men were our Governors and their vilest Lusts the Laws by The Speaker's Speech to the King Aug. 29. 1660. pag. 3. which they governed THE Great and most Wise God conveyed Divine 11. The King's Restoration was our Deliverance from Sufferings Intelligence into your Patient and Pious Soul and taught you how by suffering for us to deliver us from our Sufferings to knock off our Shackles and set your People at liberty when neither Power nor Policy could effect it So soon as Your Majesty set your Foot upon your English Shore our Prison was turned into a Paradice of Pleasure and the whole Nation filled with Joy and Love and Peace THIS great Blessing is already registred in your 12. And so the People acknowledged in their Joys People's thankful Hearts and they desire that the Pag. ibid. sequen Memory thereof might be perpetuated and therefore they have laid it up amongst their choicest Jewels and annexed it to their MAGNA CHARTA which they are willing to pawn unto Your Majesty upon Condition when they forget this to forfeit that and all THIS was a most true and noble Saying and worthy such a Speaker And now the King being setled in his Throne and that Parliament having accomplished the Ends for which they had met and we all Received the Fruit and Benefit of their Counsels and Conclusions and they being willing to be 13. The Dissolution of that Parliament was at their own Requests relieved from the extraordinary Fatigue to which The Lord Chancellor's Speech Saturd Dec. 29. 1660. pag. 6 7. they had so long submitted and to return to the Consideration of their own particular Affairs which they had so long sacrificed to the Publick it was no wonder that such a reasonable wish and desire should bring the King to comply with them and he made no doubt but all succeeding Parliaments would pay them their Thanks for all they had done and look upon their Actions and their Example with all possible Approbation and Reverence BUT when His Majesty within a few Months after met his new Parliament and upon their Choice of Sir Edward Turner for their Speaker he was pleased to accept of him what high and lofty thoughts had that brave Man of this August Assembly YOU shall hear his own words and they are these and he had both the Houses within his view when he made his second Speech to the King after the Chancellor had declared the King's Approbation of the Choice of the House of Commons Pray let me beg Your Majesty's Patience for a while and 14. The sight of such an August Assembly is transporting from this place to look about me Sir a weak Sir Edward Turnor 's Speech May 10. 1661. two days after the Opening of the Parliament p. 5 6. Head is soon giddy but the strongest Brain may here be turned the Presence of this Glory and the Glory of this Presence do transport me Whilst I contemplate the Incomparable Beauty of this Body Politick and the goodly Order of this High Court of Parliament where at once I behold all the Glory of this Nation I am almost in the Condition of S. Paul when he was taken up into the Third Heavens all he could say upon his Return was he saw things unutterable AS the last Meeting here in Parliament was happy 15. The last Parliament happy in healing our bleeding Wounds in healing the bleeding Wounds of this Nation Id. pag. 9 10. so they were blessed even for their Works sake Your Sacred Majesty did bless them and therefore they shall be blessed to all Posterity BUT Sir we hope you have a Blessing left for us too That 16. This hopes to be so in an Emulation to exceed the Actions of their Predecessors was your Parliament by Adoption but this is yours by Birth-right This Parliament is Free-born I hope this Honour will beget in us an Emulation to exceed the Actions of our Predecessors and not only to meet Your Majesty as our Sovereign with the Duty of Subjects but with the Love of Sons to a most indulgent Father NEXT to the Glory of Your Majesty's Royal 17. The Glory of the House of Peers Throne I cannot but observe the brightness of this Id. ibid. Second Orb meaning the Noble Lords this Firmament is richly decked with Stars of several Magnitudes each Star appears like the Morning Star and yet each Star differs from another in Glory YOU cannot want Commanders either by Sea or Land to manage your Designs whilst all Id. ibid. these Sons of Mars stand Candidate to serve you in the Wars YOU cannot want Counsellors to advise you in the great Affairs of the Nation whilst all these Id. ibid. Senators each fit to be a Consul contend who shall most ease you in the Thorny Cares of the Government AMIDST these Noble English Barons and at Your Majesty's Feet are placed the Reverend Judges Id. ibid. sequent of the Land the Sages of the Law Men so Learned and expert in the Customs and Statutes of this Land that if Wat Tyler or Jack Cade or the new Fanaticks of this latter Age had burned our Books they were able to restore our Laws in Purity and Perfection AND next to these though in a lower Orb 18. Of the House of Commons appear the Worthy Knights the Prudent Citizens Id. pag. 11. and Burgesses of the House of Commons being the third Estate of Parliament WHEN the Fame of Solomon's Wisdom had filled the Neighbour Nations the Queen of Sheba Id. ibid. could not contain her self at home but with many Camels laden with Spices with Gold and Pretious Stones in Abundance
swerve from it and nothing can be proposed to manifest our Zeal and Affection for it to which we will not readily consent And we hope in due time our self so propose some what to you for the propagation of it that will satisfie the World that we have always made it both our care and our study and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it HIS Majesty saw that it was the first 17. Religion as it was first in our thoughts so it was the Kings first and principal ca thing in all our thoughts and we cannot but Lord Keep Speech April 13. 1675. pag. 9. see that it hath been and still is the first and principal part of his care AND this Royal declaration of himself joyned to what 18. Therefore we need not doubt he hath since done carries in it self so evident an assurance and is stampt by so sacred an Authority that there remains no place for doubting nothing can scarce be added to the efficacy of it Id. ib. THEN after a repetition of the same words just above cited to the Speaker of the House of Commons in his Majesties Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical affairs He proceeds thus And the truth pag. 4. 5. 19. The King most fit to propose being the most competent Judg from his experience with the most learned of the reformed Churches abroad is we do think our self the more competent to propose and with Gods assistance to determine many things now in difference from the time we have spent and the experience we have had in most of the reformed Churches abroad in France in the Low Countries and in Germany where we have had frequent Conferences with the most learned men who have unanimously lamented the great reproach the Protestant Religion undergoes from the distempers and too notorious Schisins in matters of Religion 20. Our Religion suffers from the distempers and schisms that are in the Church in England And as the most learned amongst them have always with great submission and reverence acknowledged and magnified the established Government of the Church of England and the great Countenance and shelter the Protestant Religion received from it before these unhappy times so many of them have with great ingenuity and sorrow confessed that they were too easily misled by mis-information and prejudice into some dis-esteem of it as if it had too much complyed with the Church 21. Church of England the best fence against Popery in the World of Rome whereas they now acknowledge it to be the best fence God hath yet raised against Popery in the world and we are perswaded they do with great Zeal wish it restored to its old dignity and Veneration AND a little after in pag. 8 9. he further says We need 22. The Kings great esteem for the Church of England not profess the high Affection and Esteem we have for the Church of England as it is Established by Law the Reverence to which hath supported us with God's blessing against many temptations AS to the Opinion of the Presbyterians concerning Episcopacy hear how the King declares himself in this point When we were in Holland saith he we were attended by many grave and learned Ministers from hence who were looked upon as most able and principal assertors of the Presbyterian 23. Presbyterians affectionate to the King Zealous for the Peace of Church and State and no Enemies to Episcopacy Opinions with whom we had as much conference as the multitude of affairs which were then upon us would permit us to have and to our great satisfaction and comfort found them persons full of Affection to us of Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State and neither Enemies as they Pag. 5. Declar. conc Eccles affairs Octob. 25. 1660. at Whitehall have been given out to be to Episcopacy or Liturgy but modestly to desire such alalterations in either as without shaking Foundations might allay the present distempers which the indisposition of the time and the tenderness of some mens consciences had contracted AND We further find upon the full conference we 24. The Mischiefs the Church labours under as well as the State result from the passions and Interests of private persons have had with the learned men of several perswasions that the mischiefs under which both the Church and State do at present suffer do not result from any formed Doctrine or Conclusion Pag. 7. Of the same woich either party maintains or avows but from the passion and appetite and Interest of particular persons who contract greater prejudice to each other from those affections then would naturally arise from their Opinions FOR we must for the honour of all those of either persuasion 25. The professions and desires of both perswasions for the advance of Religion are the same with whom we have conferred declare that the professions and desires of all for the advancement of piety and true godliness are the same their professions of Zeal for the Peace of the Church the same of affection and duty to us the same they all approve Episcopacy they all approve a set form of Liturgy and they all disprove and dislike the sin of Sacriledge and the alienation of the Revenue of the Church and if upon these excellent foundations in submission to which there is such a harmony of affections any superstructures should be raised to the shaking Pag. 8. Of the same those foundations and to the contracting and lessening the blessed gift of Charity which is a vital part of Christian Religion we shall think our self very unfortunate and even suspect that we are defective in that administration of Government with which God hath intrusted us NOW we do not think that Reverence which we have 26. No Reverence for the Church of England lessened by dispensing with some Ceremonies in it for a while for the Church of England in the least degree diminished by our condescensions not peremptorily to insist on some particulars of Ceremony which however introduced by the piety and devotion and order of former times may not be so agreeable to the then present but may even lessen that piety and devotion for the improvement whereof they might happily be first introduced and consequently may well be dispensed with and we hope this Charitable compliance of ours will dispose the minds of all men to a cheerful submission to that Authority the preservation whereof is so necessary for the Vnity and 27. The support of Episcopacy the best support of Religion Peace of the Church and that they will Pag. 9. acknowledge the support of the Episcopal Authority to be the best support of Religion by being the means to contain the minds of men within the Rules of Government IF we had the command of as many tongues as his Majesty 28. His Majesty cannot be sufficiently thanked for his dispensing with some Ceremonies hath of hearts we could
not express our great Joy and thankfulness for his Speak of the House of Commons Speech to the King in the Banquet-House at Whitehal Nov. 9. 1660. p. 3 4. continual and indefatigable labour and pains in repairing and making up our sad breaches and composing our unhappy differences and in particular for this his most gratious declaration concerning Ecclesiastical affairs wherein his Majesty hath provided wholesom food for all clean Stomacks strong meat for such as are able to bear it allowing them the use of our Church Liturgy together with comely vestments Ornaments and Ceremonies in the service and worship of God as likewise Milk for tender Babes dispensing with their Conformity in such matters and things as are not so much of the substance and Essence of Faith and Religion as of Decency and becomingness which giveth abundant 29. Which will abundantly satisfie all reasonable and sober men and such as are truly Religious satisfaction to all peaceable sober minded men and such as are truly Religious for those that are really and truly so will find themselves bound ever in Conscience to the observation and practice of that excellent lesson taught us by the Apostle which is sapâ—re ad temperantiam spartam ornare with a Vade tu fac simile AND this General Thanks of that whole house was not 30. His Majesty very well deserved that thanks of the House of Commons presented rashly and precipitately to the King for if you will please to hear further what he did for the settling of the Church upon firm foundations you will find they had good reason for their so doing For 1. Sayes he He do declare our 31. The Kings Resolution for promoting the power of Godliness in having the Lords day duly observed purpose and Resolution is and shall be to promote the power of Godliness to encourage the exercises of Religion both publick and private and to take care that the Lord's day be applied to holy exercises without unnecessary divertisements and that insufficient negligent and scandalous Ministers be not permitted in the Church 32. In turning insufficient Ministers out of the Church and that as the present Bishops are known to be men of great and Exemplary Piety in their Lives which they have manifested in their notorious and exampled sufferings 33. In providing learned and pious Bishops to govern in the Church during these late distempers so we shall take special care by the assistance of God to prefer no men to that office and charge The King 's Declarat concern Ecclesiast Affairs pag. 10. but men of Learning Virtue and Piety who may be themselves the best Examples to those who are to be governed 34. They shall be frequent Preachers unless sickness or some notable occasion excuse them by them And we shall expect and provide the best we can that the Bishops be frequent Preachers and that they do very often Preach themselves in some Church of their Diocess except they be hindered by sickness or other bodiln infirmities or some other justifiable occasion which shall not be thought justifiable if it be frequent AGAIN it is said in Pag. 12. 13. Fol. 5. We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed by the Information and with the consent of the Minister of the place who shall admit none to the Lords 35. Confirmation rightly performed Supper till they have made a credible profession of their Faith and promised Obedience to the will of God according 36. None to be admitted to the Lords Supper till they have professed their faith c. as is expressed in the considerations of the Rubrick before the Catechism and that all possible diligence be used for the instruction and reformation of scandalous offenders whom the Minister shall not suffer to partake of the Lords Table until they have openly declared them 37. Care taken to instruct and reform all scandalous offenders and not to let such communicate c. selves to have truly repented and amended their former naughty lives as is partly expressed in the Rubrick and more fully in the Canons Moreover the Rural Dean and his Assistants are in their respective divisions to see that the Children and younger sort be carefully instructed by the respective Ministers of every Parish in the grounds 38. Ministers to see that youth be instructed in the grounds of Christian Religion of Christian Religion and be able to give a good account of their Faith and Knowledge and also of their Christian conversation conformable thereunto before they be confirmed by the Bishop or admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 6. NO Bishopsh all exercise any Arbitrary Power or do 39. Bishops only to act according to the law of the Land or impose any thing upon the Clergy or the people but what is according to the known Law of the Land Pag. 14. 7. WE are very glad to find that all with whom we 40. A set form of worship held lawful by all have conferred do in their Iudgments approve their Liturgy or set form of publick Worship to be lawful which in our Iudgment for the preservation of Vnity and Vniformity we conceive to be very necessary and though we do esteem the Liturgy of the Church of England contained in the book of Common Prayer and by Law established to be the best we have seen and We believe that We have seen all that are extant and used in this part of the world and well know what reverence most of the Reformed Churches or at least the most learned men in those Churches have for it yet since we find some exceptions 41. Yet since some things in the Liturgy are excepted against Divines on both sides shall reveiw and alter what is thought most necessary made against several things therein we will appoint an equal Number of learned Divines of both persuasions to review the same and to make such alterations as shall be thought most necessary and some additional forms in the Scripture phrase as near as may be suited unto the nature of the several parts of worship and that it be left to the Minister's choice to use one or other at his discretion In the mean time and till this be done although we do heartily wish and desire that the Ministers in their several Churches because they dislike 42. Tho some clauses be disliked yet let those parts be read against which there can be no exception some clauses and expressions would not totally lay aside the Book of Common Prayer but read those parts against which there can be no exception which would be the best instance of declining those marks of distinction which we so much labour and desire to remove yet in compassion to divers of our good subjects who scruple the use of it as now it is Our will and pleasure is that none be 43. But if not none shall be punished or
be put in or out but by Authority of Parl. no Lord-Lieutenant or Deputy-Lieutenant nor no Officer in the Navy during the Reign of any Popish Successor be put in or removed but either by Authority in Parliament or of such persons as the Parliament shall intrust with such Authority 'T is hard to invent another Restraint to be put upon a Popish Successor considering how much the Revenue of the Successor 97. And 't is hard to invent another Restriant upon a Popish Succes will depend upon consent of Parliament and how impossible it is to raise Money without such Consent But yet if any thing else can occur to the Wisdom of the Parliament which may further secure Religion and Liberty against a Popish Successor 98. And if a Parl. can think of any thing else further to secure Religion the K. will consent to it without defeating the Right of Succession it self his Majesty will most readily consent to it BEAR with me now in this necessary Repetition which you had at the latter end of the last Chapter Thus watchful is the 99. Thus watchful is he for all our Safeties King for all your Safeties and if he could think of any thing else that you do either want or wish to make you happy he would make it his business to effect it for you AND we may tell those desperate wretches who yet harbour in their thoughts wicked designes against the sacred person of the King in order to the compassing their own Imaginations That God Almighty would not have led him through 100. And certainly now God would never have done so much but for a servant whom he will always preserve from the utmost malice of his Enemies so many Wildernesses of Afflictions of all kinds conducted him through so many perils by Sea and perils by Land snatched him out of the midst of this Kingdom when it was not worthy of him and when the hands of his Enemies were even upon him when they thought themselves so sure of him that they would bid so cheap and so vile a price for him he would not in that Article have so covered him with a Cloud that he travelled even with some pleasure and great observation through the midst of his L. Chancellor's Speech Decemb. 29. 1660. page 21 22. Enemies he would not so wonderfully have new-modelled that Army so inspired their hearts and the hearts of the whole Nation with an honest and impatient longing for the Return of their dear Soveraign and in the mean time have so exercised him which had little less of providence in it than the other with those unnatural or at least unusual Disrespects and Reproaches abroad that he might have a harmless and an innocent appetite to his own Country and return to his own People with a full value and the whole unwasted bulk of his Affections without being corrupted or by assed by extraordinary forreign Obligations And let me adde that he would not now have so miraculously as it were preserved him from the many late most wicked and hellish Conspiracies of the Papists God Almighty would not have done all this but for a Servant whom he will always preserve as the Apple of his own Eye and always defend from the secret Machinations of his Enemies 101. Let us to the utmost then labour to improve the confidence between the King and his People LET us then extinguish our fears and jealousies and lay out our utmost endeavours to improve the confidence between the King and all his people He sufficiently takes notice that the malice of his Enemies hath been very active in sowing so many Tares as are almost enough to spoil that harvest of Love and Duty which his Majesty 102. He finds he has Enemies enough to grapple with Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 18. 19. may justly expect to reap from all the good seed which he himself hath sown FOR Calumnies and Slanders of this nature are like Comets 103. But Calumnies are nothing after a while in the Air they may seem perhaps especially to the fearful to be ill Prognosticks and the direct fore-runners of mischief but in themselves they are vain Apparitions and have no kind of solidity no permanence or duration at all For after a little while the Vapour spends it self and then the base Exhalation quickly falls back again into that Earth from whence it came LET not the whispers or evil surmises of those who lie in 104. Let not ill surmises endanger the state of the Government wait to deceive make any man the unhappy occasion of endangering the safety Lord Chancellor's Speech on Thursday May 23. 1678. page 18. 19. of the Government by mistrusting it But let the world now see that our Zeal 105. But let the world see our Zeal to preserve it to preserve the Government is the same it was when we were ready to die for its restoration LET us labour to shew the world the most effectual significations 106. And by our Loyalty and Duty let us dsscourage our Enemies of our Loyalty and Duty that we are able to express for nothing in Lord Chancellor's Speech Oct. 21. 78. page 15. the world can more discourage our Enemies 107. Then shall the King possess the greatest Glory that of reigning in our hearts and we the highest felicity that this world can afford as on the contrary nothing does or can so ripen a Nation for destruction as to be observed to distrust their own Government THEN shall the King be possessed of that true Glory which others vainly pursue the Glory of reigning in the hearts of his People then shall the People be possessed of as much Felicity as this world is capable of CHAP. III. Of Liberty and Property c. AND now having thus at large shewn you the Pious 1. The Proem Zeal of the King and his firm resolution to maintain and defend the Church of England as it is now established by Law in all its Rights and Privileges as also his great and extraordinary care to suppress the Growth of Popery by awakening all his Laws against the Papists and Popish Recusants and by his frequent Declarations to his Parliaments of his readiness to concur with them still in all further necessary Bills against them which are fit and reasonable for them to present 2. How affectionate the King is and how desirous to keep up the just Measures of our Liberties him with to pass into Laws I presently imagine that you will in the next place be desirous to hear what he hath said in the behalf of your Liberties and Properties I am sure to your Religion that is the Second thing in all your thoughts and I wish to God my fears may be groundless if I should tell you that in truth I am jealous whether your Liberties and Properties are not a great deal dearer to most of you than your Religion which
their Liberties and Properties by as many good Laws as can be proposed and as may comport with the safety of the Government Kingdoms and People SAITH He I declare my self freely that I am ready to gratifie you in a further The King's Speech Thursd Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 2 3. securing of your Liberty and Property if you can think you want it by as many good Laws as you shall propose and as can consist with the Safety of the Government without which there will neither be Liberty nor Property left to any man Having thus plainly told you what I am ready to do for you I shall deal as plainly with you again and tell you what it is I do expect from you I do expect and require from you that all occasions 53. The King being ready to do this for us expects of Difference between the two Houses be carefully avoided For else they who have no hopes to prevent your good Resolutions will hope by this Reserve to hinder them from taking any effect 54. That all occasions of difference between the Houses be taken away AND Let all Men Iudge who is most for Arbitrary Government they that foment such Differences as tend to dissolve all Parliaments or I that would preserve this and all Parliaments from being made useless 55. And let any judge who is most for Arbitrary Government he or others that foment Differences by such Dissentions THE Preserving a State of Peace and Unity The Lord Chancellor's Speech May 23. 1678. pag. 12. 56. Keeping Peace at home now more necessary than ever at home is now more necessary than ever He that foments Divisions now does more mischief to his Country than a Foreign Enemy can do and disarms it in a time when all the hands and all the hearts we have are but enough to defend us NO Fears of Arbitrary Government can justifie no Zeal to Religion can sanctifie such a Proceeding FOR this directly tends to unhinge us all this has nothing but Ruin and Desolation Anarchy and Confusion in the end of it 57. Divisions only tend to Ruin This would the King suppress he would have Right prevail and every man to enjoy all those Civil Priviledges which belong to him as his just due for he would have things to stand upon their Ancient and Sure Foundations Complaints should be heard and Wrongs should be relieved to all alike should Justice be imparted and there should be no respect to persons and this would be the way for the Land to have abundance of Peace For the truth hereof hearken to the words of the King I do not pretend to 58. The Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances than since the Kings Restoration be without Infirmities but I have never broken my Word with you and if I do not flatter The King's Speech Jan. 18. 1666 pag. 4. my self the Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances or the least Injustice or Oppression than it hath had in these seven Years it hath pleased God to restore me to you AND when he came to Prorogue his Parliament till towards Winter that so they might in their several places intend the Peace and Security of their several Countries where there were unquiet Spirits enough working I do pray you saith he 59. And he desires his Parliament so to tell the people in their respective Countries for he is sure of it and I do expect it from you that you will use your utmost endeavours to remove all The King's Speech Feb. 8. 1666 pag. 5. those false Imaginations in the hearts of the People which the Malice of ill Men have industriously infused into them of I know not what Iealousies and Grievances for I must tell you again and I am sure I am in the right and it is worthy of the most solemn regard that the People had never so little cause to complain of Oppression and Grievances as they have had since my Return to you THIS is not all The Words of the Lord Keeper who spoke 60. But this is not all the Sense and Mind of the King and which he commanded him to declare to them are more large yet Says he If any just Grievances shall have happened His Majesty will 61. If any just Grievances shall happen he is as ready to redress them as the Parliament to represent them be as willing and ready to Redress them for the future The Lord Keeper's Speech Thursd Octob 10. 1667. pag. 8. Id. pag. 7. as you to have them represented unto him AND therefore although His Majesty hears and has reason to believe that some disaffected persons have spread abroad Discourses and Rumors reflecting upon the Government intending thereby to beget a disaffection in his good Subjects and it is an easie thing to take exceptions Cum neque culpam humana Infirmitas neque Calumniam regnandi difficultas evitet Yet His Majesty promises himself from your good Affections that every one of you in your several places will endeavour to preserve a good Understanding between him and his People Id. pag. 7 8. WELL but the King as if he had not been satisfied in trusting any other to speak his mind comes and tells his Parliament himself I assure you I shall willingly receive 62. And he will willingly receive all Bills of that nature and pass any Bill you shall offer me The King's Speech to both Houses Saturd Mar. 8. 167â— 3. pag. 4. that may tend to the giving you satisfaction in all our just Grievances WHAT is there now that you can complain of 63. we shall be Righted in all our Complaints wherein you shall not be righted DO there want any Laws to secure the Peace and Quiet of the State says my Lord Keeper to The Lord Keeper's Speech Octob. 13. 1675. pag. 8 9 10 11. that Parliament 64. In Laws to secure the Peace of the State WOULD you at once enrich and adorn the Kingdom by providing for the Extent and Improvement of Trade by introducing new and useful Manufactures and by encouraging those we have already 65. In Provisions for the Extent and Improvement of Trade WOULD you prevent all Frauds and Perjuries all Delays and Abuses in the Administration of Justice WOULD you preserve a famous City from being depopulated 66. In preventing all Frauds and Perjuries all Delays and Abuses in the Administring of Justice by the Suburbs Would you restrain the Excess of those new Buildings which begin to swarm with Inhabitants unknown ALL your Petitions of this kind will be Grateful to the King and you may with ease effect all this and much more which your great Wisdoms will suggest to you A little time 67. In restraining the Excess of new Buildings will serve to make many excellent Laws and to give you the honour of being the Repairers of all our Breaches so as that time he
wholly employed upon the Publick and not taken up by such Considerations as are less meritorious 68. And a little time serves to make many excellent Laws if that time be wholly employed on the Publick IF therefore there be any without Doors that labour to disunite your Counsels or to render them ineffectual if they can hope that the occasions for this may arise from some difference within your selves or hope by those differences to disguise their own Disaffections to your good Proceedings it is in your power to defeat those hopes to pull off this Disguise and to secure 69. Therefore let none be able to disunite our great Councils a happy Conclusion of this Meeting by studying to preserve a good Correspondence and by a careful avoiding of all such Questions as are apt to engender Strife AND if ever there were a time when the Gravity and the Counsel the Wisdom and the good Temper of a Parliament 70 70 For it is in their power to preserve a good Correspondence 71 71 If ever a Parliament had need to be Grave and Temperate it is now were necessary to support that Government which only can support these Assemblies certainly this is the Hour YOU see with what Zeal the King hath recommended to 72. The King's Zeal to recommend a good Agreement among them you a good Agreement between your selves and that he doth it with all the Care and Compassion all the Earnestness and Importunity fit for so great a Prince to express who would be very sorry that any such misfortune as your Disagreement should either deprive him of your Advice and Assistance or 73. For the contrary would deprive him of their good Advice and Assistance and the people of good Laws his People of those good Laws which he is ready to grant you There is no other way our Enemies can think of by which it is possible for this Session to miscarry for Fears and Jealousies cannot enter here Calumnies and Slanders will find no place amongst wise and good Men. THEY that use these Arts abroad will quickly be discredited when the World shall see the Generous Effects of your Confidence 74. This the only way our Enemies can think of to make us miscarry Men will despair of attempting any Disturbance in the State when they see every step that tends that way serves only to give you fresh occasion to testifie your Loyalty and your Zeal 75. But Men will despair of attempting any disturbance in the State when they see the Parliament united YOU have all the reason in the World to make Men see this for you have the same Monarchy to assert the same Church to defend the same Interests of Nobility and Gentry to maintain the same excellent King to contend for and the same Enemies to contend against AND now you shall hear what my Lord Chancellor had to say to the Parliament concerning this Point He tells them There 76. And they have all the reason in the World to be so is little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties nor do they believe themselves who pretend The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thursd May 23. 1678. pag. 14 15. to be afraid of either Can there be a greater Evidence of the moderation of a Prince and his 77. Little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties tenderness of the Liberty of the Subject than to suffer as he does every day so much Licentious and Malitious Talk to pass unpunished If there be not any one instance to be 78. For who else would suffer such malicious Talkers to go unpunished found in a whole Reign of a Man that hath suffered against Law and but very few Examples of those that have suffered by it shall we endure them that dare say in Coffee-houses and in other publick places that the Nation is enslaved LET it be lawful to provoke and challenge the most discontented and the most unsatisfied Spirit in the Kingdom to shew 79. One may challenge the most discontented Spirits in the Kingdom to shew when there were less Grievances or less cause of Complaint than now that time if he can since the World began and this Nation was first inhabited wherein there were fewer Grievances or less cause of Complaint than there is at this present Nay give him scope enough and let him search all Ages and all places of the World and tell us if he can when and where there was ever found a happier People than we are at this day AND if Malice it self ought to blush when it makes this Comparison what strange Ingratitude both to God and Man are they guilty of who behave themselves so as if they could 80 80 Nay search all Ages and places of the World and none more happy than we are 81 81 Therefore how ungrateful both to God and Man are they who are ill at ease under so temperate a Government be ill at ease under so temperate a Government AND the King as if all he had hitherto spoken did not seem enough to him for the satisfaction of his People makes one apvance 82. The King declares he will with his Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom higher yet and says to his Parliament I do give you this Assurance that I will with my Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom and may The King's Speech Thursd March 6. 1678 9. pag. 7. he not then let us in cool Blood consider justly go on thus to them I do expect from you to be defended from the Calumny as well as danger of those 83. Therefore let us defend him from the Calumny of those who would render him and the Government odious to the People worst of Men who endeavour to render me and my Government odious to my People THAT there are such and especially at this time it is too notorious and if due Care and Circumspection be not taken they will quickly be in no small hopes to raise a Storm that nothing shall be able to allay SUCH are they who are industriously active in improving Fears and Jealousies among the Populace and in nourishing all 84. It is too notorious that there are such the base Suspicions which they can devise THESE should diligently be looked after who with their Ill meant distinctions between the Court and the 85. And they are those that improve Fears and Jealousies Country between the Natural and the Politick Capacity The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 15 16. go about to perswade others that these are two several Interests 86. they have ill meant distinctions between the Court and the Country between the Natural and the Politick Capacity BUT saith the Lord Chancellor immediately after let such Men have a care of that Precipice to which such Principles may lead them for the first Men that ever began to distinguish of their Duty never left off
in their Countenance at the Dissolution as when they met at the Convention of Parliament It is an unquestionable Evidence that they are exceedingly satisfied in what they have done towards each other that they have very well done all the Business they came about This is now your Case You have so well satisfied your own Consciences that you are sure you have satisfied the King's Expectation and his Hope and the Desires and Wishes of the Country 41. They have asked nothing of the King but what he hath readily granted and his Majesty hath scarce wished any thing which they have not done for him It was very justly observed by you Mr. Speaker That you have never asked any one thing of the King which he hath not with all imaginable chearfulness granted and in truth his Majesty doth with great comfort acknowledge That you have been so far from denying him any thing he hath asked that he hath scarce wished any thing that you have not granted The King and you have given such Earnest to each other of your mutual Affection you have been so exact and punctual in your proceedings towards each other that you have made no promise no profession to each other of the making good and performing of which the World is not witness Id. p. 7. AND I cannot here forbear inserting the most admirable words of that Chancellor to the Noble Lords and Honourable Members of the House of Commons then in particular but yet which at all times may be repeated to and it were well if they were duly remembred by any succeeding Parliament They are these Your Lordships will easily recover that Estimation and Reverence 42. By the Lords exercise of that Virtue from whence their Honours sprang they will enflame the peoples hearts and from thence they will make a Judgment of the King himself that is due to your High Condition by the exercise and practice of that Virtue from whence your Honours first sprang the example of your Justice and Piety will enflame the hearts of the people towards you and from your practice they will make a Judgment of the King himself They know very well that you are not only admitted to his Presence but to his Conversation and even in a degree to his Friendship for you are his great Council by your Example they will form their own Manners and by Yours they will make some guess at the Kings Therefore under that obligation you will cause your Piety your Justice your Affability and your Charity Id. p. 15 16 17. to shine as bright as is possible before them They are 43. They are too much in love with England who believe it the best Country in the World but it is but just to say England iâ— an Enclosure of the best People in the World too much in love with England too partial to it who believe it the best Country in the World there is better Earth and a better Air and a better that is a warmer Sun in other Countries but we are no more than just when we say that England is an Enclosure of the best people in the World when they are well informed and instructed a people in Sobriety of conscience the most devoted to God Almighty in the Integrity of their affection the most dutiful to the King in their good Manners and Inclinations most regardful and loving to the Nobility no Nobility in Europe so entirely loved by the people there may 44. No Nobility in Europe so beloved by the People be more awe fear and terrour of them but no such love towards them as in England I beseech your Lordships do not undervalue this Love they have looked upon your Lordships and they will look upon your Lordships again as the greatest examples and patterns of duty to the King as their greatest security and protection from Injury and Injustice and for their enjoying whatever is due to them by the Law and as the most proper Mediators and Interposers to the King if by any failure of Justice they should be exposed to any Oppression and Violence and this exercise of your Justice and Kindness towards them will make them the more abhor and abominate that parity upon which a Commonwealth must be founded because it would extirpate or suppress or deprive them of their beloved Nobility which are such a support and security to their full happiness 45. As the Commons came up the Peoples Deputies to the King so he returns them his Deputies to the People AND you Gentlemen of the House of Commons you are now returning to your Countrey laden with a Trust not inferiour or weighty than that you brought from thence you came up their Deputies to the King and he returns you now his Deputies to them his Plenipotentiaries to inform and assure them that he thinks himself the happiest and the greatest Prince of the World from being possess'd of the affections and hearts of such Subjects And that you may have the more credit in what you say he will not take it unkindly if you publish his Defects and Infirmities You may tell them as a great Infirmity that a troubled 46. A troubled countenance so afflicts the King that he would remove it at his own charge and discontented countenance so afflicts him that he would remove it from them at his own charge as if he himself were in the fault And when he hath been informed of any less kind or jealous thing said amongst you as your Windows are never so close shut but that the sound of your words goes to the several corners of the Town His Majesty hath been heard to say no more but What have I done I wish that Gentleman 47. The King wishes his People knew him better and I were acquainted that he knew me better Id. p. 18. Oh Gentlemen you cannot be your selves nor you cannot make your Friends too zealous or too jealous for such a Prince's safety or too solicitous for such a Prince's satisfaction and content to whom we may very justly say as the King of Tyre writ to Solomon Because that God hath loved his people he hath made 48. Where the King's defects are necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity thee King over them even his Defects and Infirmities are very necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity AND though the Speaker could that day affirm in the Speech he made to his Majesty that No man can say that hath made the 49. As that Parliament was very good so whilst we have this good King we may see such onother most curious search into Books or Records that there ever was such a Parliament as this yet he could add further what since has been sufficiently known And it s our unspeakable joy and comfort that no man can say so long as your Majesty lives but we may have such another And he gives us a very good Id. p. 32.
Interest it should be so but because the King did Prorogue his Parliament from July 1663. to March 1663 4. some ill-affection'd persons to the peace and quiet of the State and Government would fain have had their seditious whispers credited of their never seeing them to meet again but their malice could not be hid for at the stated day the doors were open and the Houses full saith the King to them My Lords and Gentlemen 92 Whatever peoples surmises be of him the King would not have his Parliament think any thing ill of him as to any disaffection for them You see God be thanked you have met together again at the time appointed and I do assure you I have been so far from ever intending it should be otherwise that I do not know one person who ever wished it should be otherwise Think therefore I pray what good meaning those men could have who from the time of the Prorogation to the day of your meeting have continually whispered and industriously infused into the minds of the people that the Parliament should meet no more that it should either be presently dissolved or so continued by Prorogation that they should be kept without a Parliament I pray watch these whisperers all you can as men 93. He would have his Parliament to watch all those who make it their business to sow jealousies between them and him King's Speech to both Houses Mond 21 Mar. 63 4. pag. 3 4. who use their utmost endeavours to sow Iealousies between you and me and I do promise you they shall not prevail with me and I do promise my self they shall not prevail with you and the truth is we are both concerned they should not and we shall then with God's blessing prevent all the mischief they intend NAY so sensible was the King of this same evil Spirit among some at his receiving of the Parliaments Petition concerning Romish 94. The King extremely angry at those who talk of his resolutions to dissolve his Parliament Priests and Jesuits a year before this that saith he then in his Speech to them I confess my Lords and Gentlemen I have heard of one Iealousie which I will never forgive the Authors of that I had a Iealousie of your affections that I was offended with the Parliament to that degree that I intended King's Speech 1 Apr. 1663. pag. 5. 6. to dissolve it They say men are naturally most 95. Which he saith reflects much upon his understanding angry with those reproaches which reflect upon their understanding which makes them thought weak men truly I should appear a very weak man if I should have any such passion any such purpose No my Lords and Gentlemen I will not 96. For none so much obliged to Parliaments as He was and his love to them shall be proportionable part with you upon those terms never King was so much beholding to a Parliament as I am to you and if my kindness to you and my confidence in you be not proportionable I am behind-hand with you which God willing I will not be AND as he hath laid out very great endeavours that there might not be any mis-understanding between him and his people so in a more peculiar manner hath his Majesty shewn himself industrious in his carefulness to preserve a right correspondence between him and his Parliament and hath been continually engaging them by all the earnest expressions of an affectionate and endearing tenderness to preserve the same towards each other as you shall see from these following instances I am sorry to find that the general temper and affections of 97. The King sorry to find the Nation no better composed the Nation are not so well composed as I hoped they would have been after so signal blessings from God Almighty upon us all and after so great indulgence and condescentions from me towards all Interests There are 98. Many ill persons labour night and day to disturb the publick peace King's Speech 20 Nov. 1661. pag. 4 5. many wicked Instruments still as active as ever who labour night and day to disturb the publick peace and to make all people jealous of each other it will be worthy of your care and vigilance to provide proper remedies 99. Find out fit remedies for such and we shall do well enough for the diseases of that kind and if you find new diseases you must study new remedies Let us not be discouraged if we help one another we shall with God's blessing master all our difficulties And a few lines lower saith he I shall not need to recommend 100. A good correspondence necessary for us all or put you in mind of the good correspondence that ought to be kept between you for the good of your selves and Me and the whole Kingdom and I may tell you it is very necessary for us all You will find whoever doth not love me doth not love you and they who have no Reverence for you have little 101. Who have no reverence for Parliaments have no kindness for the King Kindness for me therefore I pray let us adhere fast to each other and then we shall with the help of God in a short time perswade o oblige all men to that submission and obedience to the Law as may constitute a full measure of happiness to Prince and People and perswade our Neighbours to that esteem and value they have formerly had for us THIS Harmony of tempers is certainly the best way in Humane 102. Harmony of affections between the King and his Parliament the best way to make both Church and State happy foresight to bring down blessiings upon us all and to cause both the Church and the Statc to return to that Vnity Lord Chanc. Sp. 13 Sept. 1660. p. 22. and Vnanimity which will make both King and People as happy as they can hope to be in this World 1660. p. 22. THIS his Majesties adopted Parliament very well understood and therefore behaved themselves accordingly for their hearts were set upon it after so long distractions if it were possible to restore the Nation to its former felicity and this could no way be so well done as by the sweet agreement of their Spirits and their mutual kindnesses and respects each to other THIS as they observed it did the King observe too and by his Chancellor renders them very kind acknowledgments for it Saith that Noble Lord in the same Speech at the very beginning of the next page My Lords and Gentlemen I shall conclude 103. And therefore the Chancellor thanks them as from the King for the good correspondence and respect to each other with the King 's hearty thanks to you not only for what you have done towards him which hath been very signal but for what you have done towards each other for the excellent correspondence you have maintained for the very seasonable deference and condescention you have
just to such a Party â—nd such a Perswasion as if only Loe here was Christ where they were pleased to have him and not there whereas alass it is not different Forms as to Circumstantials that denominate us Christians but it is the holding of the Truth in the substance of it And is it not too much so now in our dayes what Parties what Factions what Interests and separations are among us and in matters meerly circumstantial how hasty are we in stamping a Jus Divinum on such things as are doubtful dark and disputable among men that perchance are equally wise and pious judicious and learned on both sides We ought to put no more weight nor a greater necessity on those things than the Divine Wisdom hath clearly put upon them in his word nor to Spend more of our Zeal about such things than is proportionable to its weight and measure We should allow for the imperfection of men and the imperfect state of the Church for here we know but in part and therefore we should bear with one another if in any thing we be otherwise minded one to another But we are instead of this pecking one at another How positive are we of our own ways as if we were all infallible stretching our Authority far beyond our just Rule and Line when we have catched up a new Notion strait we lay it upon Conscience as that which must be maintained although to the great prejudice of the whole Interest of Religion and so rend the Church and run away from all those that agree not with us in all things Oh! what peeques and grudgings what heart-burnings and contentions are there between parties that differ What defamatory Speeches what scandalous Reflections and how unbecoming are their heats of language one against another so much that we are in a very fair way of running into the same if not more violent and worse distractions than we were in in the late sad and dismal times if God of his infinite wisdom and mercy heal not these our breaches and compose our differences Quis Talia fando Temperet a Lachrymis THIS disquisition hath cost the King many a sigh many a 8. This division among us hath cost the King many a sigh sad hour when he hath considered as was said before the almost irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion hath undergone from the divisions and distractions which have been so notorious within this Lord Chan. Speech Thursday Sept. 13. 1660. pag. 22. Kingdom What pains he hath taken to compose them after several discourses with learned and pious men of different perswasions you shall see by and by as also his great Indulgence to those who can have any protection from Conscience to differ from their Brethren And he is a most discerning generous and merciful Prince who hath had more experience of the Nature and humour of mankind than any Prince living can best distinguish between the tenderness of Conscience and pride of Conscience between the real effects of Conscience and the wicked pretences to Conscience who having fought with Beasts at Ephesus knows how to guard himself and Lord Chan. Speech Monday May 19. 62. pag. 17. the Kingdome from the assaults and violence of a strong malicious corrupted Understanding and Will and how to secure himself and the Kingdome from the feeble traps and nets of deluded fancies and imaginations In a word He is a Prince of so excellent a Nature 9. Who is a most discerning Prince and of a tender Conscience himself and hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind and so tender a Conscience himself that he hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind and will never suffer the weak to undergo the punishment ordained for the wicked and knows and understands better than any man that excellent Rule of Quintilian Est aliquid quod non oportet etiam si licet aliud est jura spectare aliud justitiam Therefore let us hold Communion in such things wherein we are agreed and Love and Charity wherein we differ HIS Majesty hath considered Religion first in General as 10. Religion considered 1st generally as opposite to Popery 2 d. as established by Law in the Church of England it is PROTESTANT and stands in Opposition to Popery and Secondly more particularly as it is the Protestant Religion Established by Law Lord Keep Speech Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 9. 10 11. in the Church of England he sees that as such it is not only best suited to the Monarchy and most likely to defend it but most able to defend it self against the Enemies of all Reformation Upon the former account 11. Therefore the Laws against both Papists and Dissenters are now awakened he hath awakened all the Laws against the Papists there is not one Statute extant in all the volume of our Laws but his Majesty hath now put it in a way of taking its full course against them Upon the latter account his Majesty with equal and impartial Justice hath revived all the 12. Not with equal severity against the latter Laws against dissenters and Non-conformists but not with equal severity for the Laws against the Papists are edged and the execution of them quickned by new rewards proposed 13. These and all other Laws subject to the pleasure of a Parliament to the Informers those against Dissenters are left to that strength which they have already Both these and all other Laws whatsoever are always understood to be subject to the pleasure of a Parliament which may alter amend or explain them as they see cause and according unto publick convenience FOR when we consider Religion in Parliament we are supposed 14. Religion how to be consider'd in Parliament to consider it as a Parliament should do and as Parliaments in all Ages have done that is as it is a part of our Laws a part and a necessary part of our Government Of this more hereafter Let us now hear what this our most Excellent Majesty hath declared and said to us concerning it WHEN he was at his Court at Breda a little before his 15. How the King declares for the establishment of the Protestant Religion happy coming over to us and sent his Letter to the Speaker of the then House of Commons Assembled in Parliament he thus Writes to him what he should read to the House If you desire saith he the advancement April 14. 1660. pag. 5. 6. and propagation of the Protestant 16. Nothing could stratle the King or make him in the least degree swerve from the true Protestant Religion Religion we have by our constant profession and practise of it given sufficient testimony to the World that neither the unkindness of those of the same faith towards us nor the civilities and obligations from those of a contrary profession of both which we have had abundant evidence could in the least degree startle us or make us
and in time some prevalent Sect vvill at last contend for an Establishment vvhich for ought can be foreseen may end in Popery IT is a thing altogether vvithout Precedent and vvill take avvay all means of Convicting Recusants and be inconsistent vvith the Method and Proceedings of the Lavvs of England LASTLY it is humbly conceived that the Indulgence proposed vvill be so far from tending to the Peace of the Kingdom that it is rather likely to occasion great disturbance And on the contrary the asserting of the Lavvs and the Religion Established according to the Act of Uniformity is the most probable means to produce a Setled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdom because the variety of Professions in Religion vvhen openly indulged doth directly distinguish Men into Parties and vvithall gives them opportunity to count their Numbers vvhich considering the Animosities that out of a Religious Pride vvill be kept on foot by the several Factions doth tend directly and inevitably to open disturbance nor can your Majesty have any security that the Doctrine or Worship of the several Factions vvhich are all governed by a several Rule shall be consistent vvith the Peace of your Kingdom These Reasons vvere too povverful for his Majesty not to be 65. These Reasons o're-powred the King so that He yielded to them and He hoped that the Truly Religious and Peaceable would soon do so too overcome by them and therefore he yielded to their force and prevalency and doubted not but in a little vvhile The Truly Religious and the Peaceable vvould likevvise be brought over to a submissive Acquiescence and a dutiful compliance with them and that their minds would be better composed and the Peace of the Church Established And though he was verily perswaded That the great Piety and Devotion the Moderation Wisdom Charity and Hospitality of the Bishops would in a short time recover the Weak and the Misled to 66. And that by the Bishops Care and Example the Weak would be brought over to their Primitive Temper of Obedience to Laws and Government their Primitive Temper of a chearful Obedience and Submission to Laws and Government and so to be the best Neighbours and the best Friends and the best Subjects of the World yet was he not also insensible that the forwardness and pride of some might not be yet enough subdued The Humours and Spirits of such Men being too rough and boisterous and therefore was willing that there should be prepared sharper Laws and Penalties to contend with those Refractory Persons and to break that stuborness which would not bend to gentler 67. That those who would not must feel the weight of sharper Laws Applications and it is great reason that they upon whom Clemency cannot prevail should feel that severity they have provoked but still the Execution of those sharp Laws depends upon the Wisdome of the King who is the most discerning 68. But yet the Execution of those Laws depended on the King who was merciful and of a tender conscience himself generous and merciful Prince in the world and of so excellent a Nature and so tender a Conscience himself that he hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind as before is said But his constant zeal for the Church hath been visible throughout the whole course of his Reign scarce can he admit a Speech to come from him unless it hath in it some 69. His constant zeal the Church went above all things earnest request that his Parliament would take care of the Protestant Religion That they would see to secure the Church of England and to keep that up in all its just and Antient Rights THIS Zeal of his for the Church after the Dreadful Conflagration of his great City of London made the King so earnest with them soon after to get up some of their Churches Reedified that so the Service of God in the publick Worship might be performed and that we might there mourn for those our grievous sins which was the cause of Gods so heavy a judgment upon us These are his words We do heartily recommend it to the Charity and Magnanimity of all well-disposed Persons 70. How instant the King was to have Churches Rebuilt after the Fire of London that some might have publick places to worship and serve God in and we heartily pray unto Almighty God that he would infuse into the hearts of Men speedily to endeavour by degrees to Reedifie some of those many Churches which in this Lamentable Fire have been burnt down and defaced that so men may have those publick places of God's Worship to resort to to humble themselves together before him upon this his heavy dipsleasure and joyn in their Devotion for his future mercy blessing upon us as soon as we shall be informed 71. The King invites his People to it by the promise not only of his assistance and direction but of his Bounty too any readiness to begin such a good work we shall not only give our assistance and direction for the Model of it and freeing it from Buildings at so near a distance but shall encourage it by our own Bounty and all other ways we shall be desired Is not this sufficiently expressive of his zeal for upholding the True Religion What after this astonishing Judgment of Fire upon the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom was the King's first care ought to have been that of us all to endeavour to have God worshipped in his Sanctuary for this makes up the Beauty of Holyness and declares our great desires for what we all do at least outwardly profess to believe the Communion of Saints NOR did his Majesty rest here his zeal for the Church was his zeal for the service of it and he was resolved that nothing justly belonging to it should be lost Says He Our Care and Endeavours for the Preservation 72. His Majesty hath all along shewâ—d his care to preserve the Rights and Interests of the Church of the Rights and Interests His Majesties Declaration to all his Loving Subjects March 15. 1671. pag. 3. 4. of the Church have been sufficiently manifested to the World by the whole course of our Government since our happy Restauration and by the many and frequent ways of Coercion that we have used for reducing all erring or dissenting persons and for composing the unhappy differences in matters of Religion which we found among our Subjects upon our Return but it being evident by the sad experience of twelve years that there is very little 73. By the way the Supream Power in Ecclesiastical Matters is not only inherent in the King but is Recognised so by divers Acts of Parliament Fruit of all those forcible Courses We think our Self obliged to make use of that Supreme Power in Ecclesiastical Matters which is not only inherent in us but hath been declared and recognized to be so by several Statutes and Acts of Parliaments and
therefore we do now accordingly Isiue this our Declaration as well for the quieting the minds of our good Subjects in these Points for inviting Srangers in this Conjuncture to come and 74. Therefore to quietminds invite strangers to live here and to encourage Trade He is now by himself with the advice of his Privy Council resolv'd to declare live under us and for the better encouragement of all to a chearful following of their Trade and Callings from whence we hope by the blessing of God to have many good and happy advantages to our Government as also for preventing for the future the danger that might otherwise arise from private Meetings and seditious Conventicles AND In the first place we declare our express resolution 75. That the Church shall be kept entire in its Doctrine Discipline and Government meaning and intention to be That the Church of England be preserved and remain intire in its Doctrine Discipline and Government as now it stands Established by Law and that this be taken to be as it is the Basis Rule and Standard of the general and publick worship of God and that the Orthodox Conformable Clergy do 76. Clergy to receive their just Revenues receive and enjoy the Revenues belonging thereunto and that no person though of a different Opinion and Perswasion shall be exempt from paying his Tythes or other Dues whatsoever And further we declare that no person 77. None exempt from paying Tythes shall be capable of holding any Benefice Living or Ecclesiastical Dignity or Preferment of any kind in this 78. None capable of any Church Preferments but those that are exactly conformable our Kingdom of England who is not exactly conformable pag. 5. BUT notwithstanding all this great Reverence to and Care 79. He has a tender regard likewise of those that dissent from the Church provided they will live peaceably and orderly of the Church of England yet you shall see what a tender regard his Majesty hath to those too that cannot come up to a thorough compliance with the Church for his eyes are over all and his thoughts and heart extend to all his Subjects as long as they will keep themselves within the due bounds of an honest peaceableness and an orderly subjection WE do in the next place saith he declare our will and pleasue to be that the execution of all and all manner of penal Laws in Matters Ecclesiastical against 80. All Penal Laws against all Nonconformists hereby suspended whatsoever sort of Nonconformists or Recusants be immediately suspended and they are hereby suspended And all Iudges Iudges of Assize and Gaol-delivery Sherifs Iustices of the Peace Mayors Bailifs and other Officers whatsoever whether Ec-clesiastical or Civil are to take notice of it and pay due Obedience thereunto pag. 6. AND that there may be no pretence for any of our 81. A sufficient number of publick places to be allow'd for Nonconformists to meet in Subjects to continue their illegal Meetings and Conventicles We do declare that we shall from time to time allow a sufficient number of places as they shall be desired in all parts of this our Kingdom for the use of such as do not conform to the Church of England to meet and assemble in inorder to their publick worship and devotion which places shall be open and free to all persons pag. 6. BUT to prevent such disorders and inconveniences as 82. But none to meet in any place until such place be allowed and the Teacher approved of may happen by this our indulgence if not duely regulated and that they may be the better protected by the Civil Magistrate Our express will and pleasure is that none of our Subjects do presume to meet in any place until such place be allowed and the Teacher of that Congregation be approved by us pag. 7. AND lest any should apprehend that this Restriction 83. This allowance of places and approbation of Teachers to extend to all sorts of Nonconformists but the Papists should make our said allowance and approbation difficult to be obtained We do further declare that this our indulgence as to the allowance of the publick places of worship and approbation of the Teachers shall extend to all sorts of Nonconformists and Recusants except the Recusants of the Roman Catholick Religion c. of which more anâ—n in its due place pag. 7. AND now what methinks every one should readily agree to and be very careful punctually to observe this injunction with which his Majesty is pleased to conclude saith He If after this our Clemency and Indulgence any of our Subjects shall presume to abuse this Liberty and shall 84. Now none must abuse this Liberty by seditiously or reflectingly preaching against the Eastblished Church preach seditiously or to the derogation of the Doctrine Discipline or Government of the Established Church or shall meet in places not allow'd by us We do hereby give them warning and declare we will proceed against them with all imaginable severity and We will let them see we can be as severe to punish such Offenders when so justly provoked as we are indulgent to truly tender Consciences BUT to return where most the King's heart is set I mean to the Church of England you shall hear what he says to his House of Commons of it Gentlemen saith he I hear you are zealous for the Church and very 85. House of Commons zealous for the Church solicitous and even jealous that there His Speech to the House of Commons at the Banquetting House March 1. 1661. pag. 7 8. is not expedition enough used in that Affair I thank you for it since I presume it proceeds from a good Root of Piety and Devotion but I must tell you I have 86. The King suspected to be a Presbyterian the worst luck in the world if after all the Reproaches of being a Papist whilst I was abroad I am suspected of being a Presbyterian now I am come 87 The King as zealous for the Church as any of his House of Commons and as much in love with the Common Prayer Book home I know you will not take it unkindly if I tell you that I am as zealous for the Church of England as any of you can be and am enough acqainted with the Enemies of it on all sides that I am as much in love with the Book of Common Prayer as you can wish and have prejudice enough to those who do not love it 88. Desires to see an Uniformity settled and they may rely upon it that he will expedite it with all convenient speed who I hope in time will be better informed and change their minds and you may be confident I do as much desire to see an Vniformity setled as any amongst you I pray trust me in that Affair I promise you to hasten the dispatch of it with all convenient speed you may rely upon
Majesties Laws shall afterwards Assemble They must â—o brought to condign punishment and of his Indulgence also seditiously assemble themselves under pretence of Religious Worship his Majesty doth require his Parliament and all in Authority under him vigorously to suppress such Meetings and to bring the pretended Preachers and Ring-leaders of such unlawful Assemblies to condign and exemplary punishment AGAIN his Majesties Commissioners Speech to the Parliament of Scotland that were met at Edinburgh 102. The King is unalterable in his zeal to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion and Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops mentioning Religion has these words I July 28. 70. p. 5 6 7. need not repeat the assurances of his Majestie 's constant and unalterable zeal for maintaining and defending the true Reformed Protestant Religion in this his Kingdom and that with no less zeal and constancy he will maintain the Antient Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops now Happily Restored and Established here for in 203. And will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism all the exercises of his Royal Authority he doth daily give full and undeniable testimonies thereof AT the opening of the first Session of this Parliament I told you in his Majesties Name that he would not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles that tend to Sedition 104. But will have them supprest and the most guilty brought to punishment and Schism which had been too frequent in some Shires of this Kingdom and the King did then require you and all in Authority under him vigorously to suppress such Meetings and to bring the most guilty to condign punishment In prosecution of which the Lords of the Privy Council 105. Field Conventicles look more like rendezvouzes for Rebellion than any thing for Religion have done their duty carefully though not with that success which they desired for his Majesty hath been informed that this Summer divers Seditious and numerous Conventicles have been kept even in the open fields which look liker endeavours to rendezvous for Rebellion than any pretence 106. Because it was in contempt of the Kings Authority and of the Parliament which they knew so soon would Assemble of Religious Worship and that in high contempt of his Majesties Authority and of this Parliament which they well-knew was so soon to Assemble Yea such hath been the Insolent Barbarity of that incorrigible sort of Non-Conformists that in some places the Houses of Orthodox and Peaceable Ministers have been Robb'd their persons and Families wounded and they threatned to be murther'd 107. And some of those Non-conformists robb'd the Conformable Ministers houses wounded the Parsons and threatned to kill them if they stai'd in their Churches if they stay at their Churches THEREFORE His Majesty doth most seriously recommend 108. Therefore good reason why the King recommends them to make good Laws and vigorously to prosecute them it to your special care by good Laws and vigorous prosecution of them to curb punish and prevent those Seditious Conventicles to cure the withdrawing of Protestants from their Paroch Churches and the Ordinances there which is the occasion of those Conventicles and cannot 109. For this cannot be conscience but deâ—â—gn to perpetuate Faction and Schism be pretended for conscience but must be esteemed only out of design to perpetuate Faction and Schism seeing the Form of Worship here is the same which hath been since the Reformation as also to punish Exemplarly those Barbarous Robberies and Assassinates committed against honest and peaceable Ministers and generally to provide what you shall think necessary for continuing the peace of the Kingdom The Work will be easie and I doubt not your care in it The Kingdom generally is Loyal Peaceable and Dutiful it is but 110. The Kingdom generally is Loyal Peaceable and Dutiful a small part of it which is tainted with such principles and practices pag. 7. AND again further in the year 1672. His Majestie 's High Commissioner for his Kingdom of Scotland at the opening of that Session of Parliament continues the same Language to them and assures them his Majestie 's Resolution is not in the least altered saith he I am particularly commanded to renew again to you His Grace the Duke of Lauderdail 's Speech June 12. 1672. to the Parliament of Scotland pag. 12. 111. The Kings Resolution continues the same still for the Government of the Church by Archbishops and Bishops and for suppressing of Conventicles preventing the growth of Schism and securing the peace of the Church the assurances of his Majesties most constant continuance in his unalterable resolutions to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion and the Government of this Church by Arch-Bishops and Bishops whatever Seditious and Disaffected Persons may suggest to the contrary and I am fully impowred to all such further Acts as you shall judg convenient for the quieting the minds of peaceable people and for curbing and punishing Seditious Conventicles for preventing the increase of Schism and by all good means securing the Peace of the Church BY this you may see that his Majesty was not only resolved to settle Episcopacy in this his Kingdom but his pious intentions were all along visible firmly to Establish it throughout all his Dominions BUT to return to our selves here of England when the House of Commons Presented the Bill to his Majesty to Repeal that Law which was made in 17 Car. whereby the Bishops were Excluded the House how great was the King's joy and thankfulness to them at the Receipt of it You shall hear both their Speeches of this Matter AND first to begin with the Speaker's when he Presented the Bill saith he Your Majestie 's Royal Grandfather was often wont Sir Edward Turner 's Speech delivered on Tuesday July 30. 1661. at their Adjournment pag. 4 5. to say no Bishop no King we found 112. No Bishop no King found true in the late times of confusion his words true for after they were put out the Feaver still encreasing in another Fit The Temporal Lords followed and then the King himself nor did the humour rest there but in the Round The House of Commons was first Garbled and then turn'd out of their doors IT is no wonder when a Sword is put into a mad Man's hand to see him cut off Limb by Limb and then to kill himself WHEN there is a great Breach of the Sea upon the low Grounds by the violence of the Torrent the Rivers of sweet Waters are often turn'd aside and the Salt Waters make themselves a Channel but when the Breach is made up good Husbands drain their Lands again and restore the Antient Sewers THANKS be to God the Floud is gone off the Face of this Island our Turtle Dove hath found good footing Your Majesty is Happily Restored to the Government The Temporal Lords and Commons are restored to sit in Parliament and shall the Church alone
now suffer Sit Ecclesia Anglicana libera habeat libertates suas illaesas Magna Charta IN order to this great work the Commons have prepared 113 A Bill brought by the Commons to Repeal the Act fâ—â— exclusion of the Bishops from sitting in the House a Bill to repeal that Law was made in 17. Car whereby the Bishops were excluded this House These Noble Lords have all agreed and now we beg your Majesty will give it life speak but the word Great Sir and your Servants yet shall live TO which his Majesty presently was pleased to return this 114. The great thanks the King gives them for the Repeal of that Act as being an unhappy Act in an unhappy time most gracious Answer I thank you with all my heart indeed as much as I can The King's Speech to both Houses July 30. 1661. pag. 4 5. do for any thing for the Repeal of that Act which excluded the Bishops from sitting in Parliament it was an unhappy Act in an unhappy time passed with many unhappy circumstances and attended with miserable events and therefore I 115. It has restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions do again thank you for repealing it You have thereby restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions AND his Majesty was so greatly pleased with this Act of Repeal that he found it as it were impossible for him to forbear coming to his House of Lords even the very first day of their meeting after the Adjournment and what was it for you shall immediately know from his own words I know the Visit saith he I make you this day is not ne necessary is not of course yet if there were no more in 16. How the King visits them the first day of their next Meeting to give them thanks again and how he rejoyces to see the Lords Spiritual and Temporal House of Commons met together c. it it would not be strange that I come to see what You and I have so long desired to see The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons of England met together to consult for the peace and safety of Church and State by which Parliaments The King's Speech to both Houses on Wednesday Novemb. 20. 1661. pag. 1. are restored to their Primitive Lustre and Integrity I do heartily congratulate with you for this day THIS surely was a signal evidence of his true love to the Church his hearty joy to behold the great Supporters and Pillars of it restored to their rightful Seats in Parliament And this both the King and the Parliament knew was one ready way to restore to them their due honour and reverence from the People If the Authority of the Church should not carefully be upheld how quickly should we come to have no Church at all and into what sad Calamities should we lapse by such an abandonment which in some sense but little differs from a Persecution LET us suppose that possible which the piety and goodness of the Kng hath made next to impossible says the 117. What would become of the Church if her Authority were despiled Lord Keeper in his Speech to both Houses of Parliament but let it be for once supposed Lord Keepers Speech April 13. 1675. pag 12 13. that the Church of England were forsaken her Authority made insignificant her Government precarious suppose her disarmed of all those Laws by which she is guarded denied all Aid from the Civil Magistrate and that none were obliged to obey her commands but those that have a mind to it would not this turn a National Church into nothing else but a Tolerated Sect or Party in the Nation Would it not take away all appearance of Establishment from it would it not drive the Church into the Wilderness again where she should be sure to find her self encompassed with all sorts of Enemies if at least she should find her self at all in the midst of so many Tolerations THEREFORE is it not most fitting that a strict Rule should be observed and that we could have the Law to be that Rule and not to leave every Man to be a Law and Rule unto himself WELL then may the King say to his Parliament what 118. His Majesties assurance that he will preserve the True Reformed Protestant Religion and the Church as now established he has said since in almost every one of his Speeches to them I will conclude with this assurance to you that I will preserve the True His Majesties Speech to both Houses Feb. 5. 16672. pag. 4. Reformed Protestant Religion and the Church as it is now Established in this Kingdom and in the whole course of my indulgence to Dissenters I do not intend that it shall any ways prejudice the Church but I will support its Rights and it in its full power THE Church of England and all good Protestants says 119. The Church and all good Protestants have reason to rejoyce in this their Defendour the Lord Chancellor to this Speech of the King in his own pag. 12 13. have reason to rejoyce in such a Head and such a Defendour His Majesty doth declare his care and concerns for the Church and will maintain them in all their Rights and Priviledges equal if not beyond any of his Predecessours He was born and bred up in it It was that his Father died for 120. Good reasons to induce his Majesty to it We all know how great temptations and offers he resisted abroad when he was in his lowest condition and he thinks it the honour of his Reign that he hath been the Restorer of 121. He hopes to bring it into greater lustre than ever yet it has been the Church 'T is that he will ever maintain and hopes to leave to posterity in greater lustre and upon surer grounds than our Ancestours ever saw it but his Majesty is not convinced That violent ways are the interest of Religion or the Church 122. violent ways not conducing to it AND after his Majestie 's conclusion of his Speech let me 123. Let us then all bless God and the King conclude nay let us all conclude with blessing God and the King Let us bless God that he Idem pag. 14. 15. hath given us such a King to be the Repairer of our Breaches both in Church and State and the Restorer of our paths to dwell in LET us bless the King for taking away all our fears and 124. That God hath given us such a King who makes the Church of England his great care leaving no room for jealousies for those assurances and promises he hath made us Let us bless God and the King that our Religion is safe that the Church of England is the care of our Prince what more hath a good English Man to ask but that this King may long Reign 125. Long therefore should we pray that this King may Reign WHEN He met his Parliament
about eight months after you shall see the King keeps close to the same Text as being that which he can never find in his heart to forget and therefore he may very well begin thus I Ihope need not use many words to perswade you that I am steady in maintaining all the professions and promises I have 126. The King steady to all his professions and promises made you concerning Religion King's Speech to both Houses Monday Octob. 27. 73. pag. 4. and I shall be very ready to give you fresh instances of my zeal for 127. Is ready to give fresh inuances of it preserving the Established Religion and Laws as often as any occasion shall require BY this you cannot but take notice that as to Religion 128. His Majesties heart with those of his people His Majesties heart is with the hearts of his people perfectly with their hearts Lord Chancellors Speech to the same pag. 9. 129. If therefore any thing be wanting to secure Religion all reasonable proposals shall be kindly received AND therefore about three months after that says the King again to his Parliament If there be any thing else which you think King's Speech January 7. 73. pag. 4. wanting to secure Religion there is nothing which you shall reasonably propose but I shall be ready to receive it One would wonder with ones self what can be expected more from a Prince to be said than such a hearty and generous Declaration as this It is delivered with so obliging and so satisfactory an Accent that he whose affections are not raised by that discourse he who cannot acquiesce in the fulness of this Lord Keepers Speech to the same pag. 7 130. He who cannot acquiesce in this assurance will never be prevailed upon by any other expedient assurance he whose heart is not Established by it in such a belief as may entirely dispose him to the service of the Crown will hardly be recovered to a better disposition by any other expedient IS not this an ample demonstration of his willingness to repair the Hedge about our Vineyard and to make it a Fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the planing of it Who would be glad to see it trodden Id pag. 8. down or rooted up and study how to sapp and undermine our very Foundations THE King calls his Parliament to examine and concur with 131. The King calls his Parliament to examine and to concur with him in the best ways to preserve the Protestant Religion him in the best expedients for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses April 13. 1675. pag. 8. and for securing the Establishment of it by a due execution of the Laws HE gives them leave to study and contrive their own assurance and if they think they want any further security if any 132. And will be perswaded by them in all reasonable things thing hath escaped his Majesties care who meditates nothing more than The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses January 7. 73. pag. 10. our preservation you see they have free leave to make any reasonable proposition 133. This surely should satisfie all our wiâ—â—es and his gracious promise that he will receive it THIS one would think were a satisfaction equal to all our wishes and that there wanted no more to the improvement of this happiness but the wisdom of the Id ibid. Parliament to use these advantages with a due moderation AND still his Majesty seems to be dissatisfied with himself and that he has not yet done enough for the interest of Religion no he must be further solicitous and importunate his chief design of Assembling his Parliament is again to refresh their memories with it and as he thinks it can never be too much in his thoughts so likewise it can never be too often repeated 134. The Kings chief end in calling the Parliament to think what yet may be wanting to secure Religion by him THE principal end saith he of my calling you now is to know what you His Majesties Speech April 13. 1675. pag. 3 4. think may be yet wanting to the security of Religion and to give my self the satisfaction of having used the utmost of my endeavours 135. And will leave nothing undone to shew his Zeal for it to procure and settle a right and lasting understanding between us I will leave nothing undone that may shew the world my zeal to the Protestant Religion as it is established in the Church of England from which I will never depart AND may he not then very justly begin his next Speech to his Parliament after this manner and say I think I have given sufficient evidence to the World that I have not 136. The King not wanting in his endeavours to establish our Religion and our property been wanting on my part in my endeavours to procure the full satisfaction of Kings Speech June 9. 1675. pag. 3. all my Subjects in the matters of both Religion and property I have not only invited you to those considerations at our first meeting but I have been careful through this whole Session that no concern of my own should divert you from it WELL the next Speech of his Majesty to them is still to provide what they shall think fitting to make us all safe in our Religion And particularly saith he 137. 'T is his particular recommendation to his Parliament to secure the Protestant Religion I recommend to you whatever may Wednes Octo. 13. 1675. The Kings Speech p. 4. tend to the security of the Protestant Religion as it is now established in the Church of England TO that you cannot but plainly take notice that his Majesty hath so often recommended to his Parliament the Considerations of Religion so very often desired them to assist him in his care and protection of it Lord Keepers Speech to the same p. 6. that the defender of the Faith is become 138. The Defender of the faith is the Advocate for it the Advocate for it too and hath left all those without excuse who still remain under any kind of doubts or fear AGAIN does that noble and eloquent Lord thus say speaking to both Houses of Parliament in pag. 8. and 9. WOULD you raise the due estimation and reverence of the Church of England to its just height Would you provide for the safety and establishment of it ALL your Petitions of this kind will be grateful to the King and you may with ease effect this and much more which your great wisdomes will suggest to you WHEN the King met his Parliament after as he himself is there pleas'd to call it a long Prorogation he still keeps up the same language to them as you have heard him speak all along 139. The King stil putting Parliament in mind to make his people happy I am now resolved saith he to
yet makes 3. His Majesty's Care of them hath been so much that we are obliged to all Acknowledgments so loud a noise in the World GOD knows these are as the great Diana of the Ephesians to us of these we are fond even to Superstition and you shall find the King as affectionate to you and as desirous to preserve them all in their just Measures as you can possibly with any Conscience wish he should be 4. The Annals of our most happy times scarce have one Year in them but what is more severe than a whole Reign hath yet produced NAY The Care of your Civil Rights and Liberties hath been so much His Majesty's that the more The Lord Keepers Speech on the 13th of October 1675. pag. 6 7. you reslect upon these Concerns the more you will find your selves obliged to acknowledge His Majesty's Tenderness of you and Indulgence to you SEARCH your own Annals the Annals of those Times you account most happy you will scarce find one Year without an Example of something more severe and more extraordinary 5. Statues have been erected for those Princes in Foreign Nations that never had half that Moderation which we have lived to enjoy than a whole Reign hath yet produced PERUSE the Histories of Forreign Nations and you shall find Statues and Altars too have been erected to the Memories of those Princes whose best Vertues never arrived to half that Moderation which we let me add for these twenty Years have lived to see and to enjoy AND Let us all evermore remember this unexceptionable A Letter from His Majesty at Breda Apr. 4 14 1660. to the Speaker of the House of Commons pag. 4. Truth which His Sacred Majesty was pleas'd 6. This Liberty is best preserved by preserving the King's Honour himself to lay down to us long ago that Our Liberty and Property is best preserved by preserving the Honour of the King FOR the Greatness and Dignity of the King The Lord Keeper's Speech Wednesd Oct. 13. 1675. p. 7. The Lord Chancellor's Speech to Baron Thurland at the taking of his Oath January 24. 1672 3. pag. 3 7. The King's Greatness the Peoples Safety is the Greatness and Safety of his People Therefore LET not the King's Prerogative and the Law be 8. Therefore the King's Prerogative and the Law should not be two things with us two things with you For the King's Prerogative is Law and the principal part of the Law and therefore in maintaining that you maintain the Law The Government of England is so excellently interwoven that every part of the Prerogative hath a broad mixture of the Interest of the Subject the Ease and Safety of the People being inseparable from the Greatness and Security of the Grown THE knowing of our own Interest will secure June 26. 1673. pag. 4. 9. The knowledg of our own Interest secures us to the King 's and Nations us to the King 's and the Nation 's I repeat them thus together saith the Lord Chancellor in his Speech upon the Lord Treasurer 's taking his Oath in the Exchequer because none but Mountebanks in State Matters can think of them asunder 10. Prerogative not extended beyond its due Limits AND if the not extending his Prerogative beyond The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses January 7. 1673 4. pag. 9. its due Limits can secure our Liberties then surely we have no need to fear the least Diminution of them For 11. The King only considers his Prerogative in order to preserve the Peace and Security of the Kingdom SAITH The King The Peace and Security The King's Speech April 5. 1664. pag. 3. of the Kingdom and the Welfare of my Subjects I study more than my Prerogative Indeed I consider my Prerogative only in order to preserving the other DO We not see that the King hath made it his The Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 8. Care and his Business to do all that is possible to 12. The Laws of the Kingdom the Measures of both his Power and Prudence preserve us in our Civil Rights that he makes the Laws of his Kingdom the Measures not only of his Power but his Prudence that he suffers no Man to be wiser than the Law that he thinks he cannot judge of the Health or Sickness of his State by any better Indication than the Current 13. Their Current gives the best Judgment either of the Health or Sickness of the State of his Laws and suffers nothing to remain that may in the least measure hinder Justice from flowing in its due and proper Channels NOW The Administration of Iustice according His Majesty's Declaration for inforcing a late Order made in Council Feb. 12 1674 5. pag. 3. to the setled and known Laws of the Land is certainly the most reasonable and 14. Administration of Justice according to the known Laws of the Land proper Method for attaining and preserving the Peace and Safety both of Church and State FOR Laws are the Strength of a Kingdom the Walls and Bulwarks of a Nation without which Places are but as the Forests 15. What Laws are to a Kingdom of Wild Beasts to dwell in and the Ends of the Law are to bridle Men's wild and loose Exorbitances and to be instructive and to direct to Duty Now you shall hear what His Majesty hath 16. Their end been pleased to say as to this Point And first If you will but look into that Letter which he sent to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons you will find there these words SAITH He If you desire that Reverence and Obedience may be paid to the Fundamental April 4 14 1660 pag. 6. 7. 17. Reverence and Obedience to the Fundamental Laws of the Land is that the King desires to be sworn to and all Persons in Authority Laws of the Land and that Iustice may be equally and impartially Administred to all Men it is that which we desire to be sworn to Our Self and that all Persons in Power and Authority shall be so too In a word There is nothing that you can propose that may make the Kingdom happy which we will not contend with you to Compass And upon this Confidence and Assurance we have thought fit to 18. Nothing can be proposed to make the Kingdom happy but he will contend with us to compass send you this Declaration that you may as much as is possible at this Distance see our Heart AND In the Declaration that was inclosed therein His Majesty thus delivers himself Ve do not desire more to enjoy what is Ours than that all Our The Declaration pag. 2. Subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs 19. The King desires no more to enjoy his own than to have his Subjects enjoy what by Law is theirs by a full and entire Administration of Iustice throughout the Land and
by extending Our Mercy where it is wanted and deserved AND When he granted a Free and General Pardon to all his Subjects of what Degree or Quality soever who would not persevere in their Guilt for the future by opposing the Quiet and Happiness of their Country in the Restoration both of King Peers and People to their Just Ancient and Fundamental Rights but would return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects Saith His Majesty Let all our Subjects how faulty soever 20. By his General Pardon no Crime shall ever rise in Judgment against any eito endammage their Lives Liberties or Estates who will now become obedient to Laws The same Declaration pag. 2. 3. rely upon the Word of a King solemnly given by this present Declaration that no Crime whatsoever committed against Vs or Our Royal Father before the Publication of this shall ever rise in Iudgment or be brought in question against any of them to the least Endamagement of them either in their Lives LIBERTIES or Estates Nay so tender is the King of their Credit that he goeth on or as far forth as lies in Our Power so much as to the prejudice of their Reputations by any Reproach or 21. Nay their Reputations shall not suffer if he can help it Term of Distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects IN The King's Speech to his Parliament April 5. 1664. p. 4. He thus saith to them I do assure you upon my Word and I 22. He has no other thoughts but to make us happy in our Laws and prays so to be believed pray believe me that I have no other Thoughts or Designs in my Heart but to make you all happy in the Support of the Laws established NAY The Speaker of the House of Commons when he addressed himself to His Sacred Majesty in the Name of the whole House who are the Representative Body of all the Commons of England could say Most Gracious and dread Soveraign 23. When any thing of Right or but Conveniency has happened to be a measuring Cast a disputable Case he hath always cast it against himself if it hath been for his People's Good though the Knights Citizens and Burgesses Saturday Decemb 29. 1660. being the day of their Dissolution p. 25 26. now assembled in Parliament have no cause to complain they cannot but take notice of your Partiality for when any thing in point of Right or but Conveniency hath fallen out to be as we use to say a measuring Cast a disputable Case between your Self and your People without any regard or respect had unto your own Right or the Advantage that might accrue to your Self by asserting the same if the Good of your People hath come in Competition with it you have always cast it against your Self and given it in on your People's side 24. The Restoration of the King and the Restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties AND then a little before he concludes this his Speech he returns his thankful Acknowledgment to God for his Infinite Goodness and Mercy in restoring His Majesty to his Royal and Imperial Crown Throne and Dignity and for making him the Restorer of our Religion as likewise saith he for restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties having taken The same Speech pag. 31 32. the Charge and Care of them into your own Heart which is our greatest Security and more than a thousand 25. The good old Rules of the Law our best Security Confirmations THE King saith it himself and it is true beyond all Contradiction That the Good old Rules of the Law are the best Security These shall be ever dear His Speech May 19. 1662. pag. 4. 26. No Man's Property or Liberty shall ever be invaded to him these will he command his Learned Judges to cherish with Upright and Impartial Justice And in his Speech to both his Houses he ends thus I will Wednesday Feb. 5. 1672. pag. 4. conclude with this Assurance to you that no 27. The King steady in maintaining all his Promises to us concerning Property and ready to give fresh Instances of his Zeal for preserving the established Laws Mans Property or Liberty shall ever be Invaded What Expressions can go higher And how can the King more expatiate himself to you Is not this Security a Satisfaction equal to all your Wishes BUT To proceed be pleased to hear the words of the King again to his Parliament Saith he I hope I need not use many words to perswade you that I The King's Speech Monday October 27. 1673. pag 4. am steady in maintaining all the Professions and Promises I have made you concerning Property And I shall be very ready to give you 28. For his Heart is perfectly with his Peoples in it fresh Instances of my Zeal for preserving the Established Laws as often as any Occasion shall require AND The Lord Chancellor tells us in his Speech then I 29. Reverence and Obedience will be given to Laws when they are well understood that they conduce to the Peoples Profit can add nothing to what His Majesty hath said For as to Property his Heart is with your Heart pag. 9. perfectly with your Heart IT Was a right Ground of Considence such a The Lord Chancellor's Speech Monday May 19. 1662. pag. 14. 15. one as seldom deceives Men that the great Law-maker the wise Solon had when he concluded that Reverence and Obedience would be yielded to his Laws because he had taken the pains to make his Citizens know and understand that it was more for their profit to obey Law and Justice than to contemn and break it and indeed the Profit Benefit and Ease is very great which always attends a chearful Obedience to Laws and Government NO Wonder then we stand up so vigorously for our Old Laws since in maintaining them consists our Perfect Freedom our greatest Liberty And herein too is the King chiefly solicitous because it tends so much to our real Good and Happiness Therefore saith he to his Parliament I shall consent to any reasonable Bills you shall offer me for the Good 30. His willingness to consent to any reasonable Bills for the Good of the Nation The King's Speech Thursd May 23. 1678. pag. 6. and Safety of the Nation AND He thus continues MY Lords and Gentlemen I shall say no more but only to assure you whatsoever some ill Men would have believed I never had 31. The King never had any Intentions but of Good to his People and will do all things for their Safety any Intentions but of Good to you and to my People nor ever shall but will do all that I can for your Safety and Ease AND Wherein does our Safety and Ease more consist than in an orderly Government by Law which preserves to every Man his true Rights and Interests And is there any Invasion on us here Are not the